The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1882.

Kumara Times, Issue 1732, 19 April 1882, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1882.

If is perfectly plain that the ratepayers of Knmara are very much divided in opinion upon the question of the proposed water-supply scheme, and it is equally clear that only a comparatively few persons have taken the trouble to make themselves acquainted with even a portion of the details of that scheme. This is very much to he regretted, especially when we consider that should the present proposals be rejected, the chances are a hundred to one that the town of Komara will be without a water-supply for many years to come. Some of the ratepayers, and large pro-perty-holders too, seem to hold the opinion that supposing a tire does take place, it would most likely be in some part of the town far away from them consequently that they would rather run the risk than increase the rates by the raising of a loan. Many object on the ground that the source of supply should be from Sandy’s Hill rather than

from any other place. Now this is correct enough, and if water could be obtained from there, it would be infinitely better for all concerned, but unfortunately all the water at a high level in that direction is held under registrations granted in the Warden’s Court. A good many will vote against the scheme because the pipes will not go sufficiently far up Main street, but the objection most frequently urged is that the work has to be dune with borrowed money. Eighteen hundred pounds must be raised on loan before anything can be done, and it is argued that the payment of the interest will fall heavily upon the ratepayers. This is true to a certain extent, but we have to consider as to whether the rateable value of property within the borough is likely to increase or decrease in the future. In the former case, the payment of the interest on the loan would be an easy matter, but should there be any considerable diminution of the population, then, indeed, the ratepayers who remained in the borough would have to pay rather heavily. It may be safely asserted that the population would be much larger than it is but for the existence of the Education Reserve, which has throughout retarded settlement. As it is, sections are being taken up and occupied every day, and it is certain that if the Act, which specially applies to the Reserve, was amended to a reasonable extent, tha number of the vacant sections would be very much smaller than at present. Such being the case, it is extremely improbable that the value of the rateable property will decrease. Those who have not taken the trouble to obtain any particulars regarding the details of the scheme now under discussion may find it interesting to know the following facts. The loan of £IBOO will bear interest at the rate of seven per cent. The source of supply is Holmes’ race, at a point about one. hundred and twenty feet above the level of the surface of the ground at Drummond’s corner. The water will be conveyed in cast-iron pipes of the gauge of six and eight inches respectiveiy, and these will be placed upon the whole length of Seddon street, and in Main street from above the Court House to a point opposite Mr Rudkin’s private residence. These are the general outlines of the scheme, and as a vote of the ratepayers will shortly be taken to decide the whole question, it behoves every one interested in the matter to consider very carefully beforehand, whether he will “ v te for the proposal,” or “ vote against the proposal.”